title: The role of levetiracetam in treatment of seizures in brain tumor patients.
abstract: Levetiracetam, trade name Keppra, is a new second generation antiepileptic drug that is being increasingly used in brain tumor patients. In patients suffering with brain tumors, seizures are one of the leading neurologic complications being seen in more than 30% of patients. Unlike other antiepileptic drugs, levetiracetam is proposed to bind to a synaptic vesicle protein inhibiting calcium release. Brain tumor patients are frequently on chemotherapy or other drugs that induce cytochrome P450, causing significant drug interactions. However, levetiracetam does not induce the P450 system and does not exhibit any relevant drug interactions. Intravenous delivery is as bioavailable as the oral medication allowing it to be used in emergency situations. Levetiracetam is an attractive option for brain tumor patients suffering from seizures, but also can be used prophylactically in patients with brain tumors, or patients undergoing neurological surgery. Emerging studies have also demonstrated that levetiracetam can increase the sensitivity of Glioblastoma tumors to the chemotherapy drug temozolomide. Levetiracetam is a safe alternative to conventional antiepileptic drugs and an emerging tool for brain tumor patients combating seizures.
authors.affiliation: The Brain Tumor Center, Scott & White Healthcare , Temple, TX , USA ; Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine , Temple, TX , USA.
authors.forename: Ekokobe
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fonkem
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bricker
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mungall
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aceves
authors.forename: Eromata
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ebwe
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Batool
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kirmani
keywords: antiepileptic drugs; brain tumor patients; intravenous levetiracetam; neurologic complications; seizures